Any advice on how to get a critical care spot as a new grad?

stram87 · Jan 17, 2011

Externship/Internship in a critical care field if possible. Work as a tech in one of these areas. Anything to get some experience/exposure in these areas. What kind of program are you in?

b4may14 · Jan 18, 2011

Thank you. I am in a BSN program, but I am having a hard time getting a job as a pca or a tech, but I guess I will keep trying...thanks for the advice

CuriousMe · Jan 18, 2011

Thank you. I am in a BSN program, but I am having a hard time getting a job as a pca or a tech, but I guess I will keep trying...thanks for the advice

I've been speaking with nurse recruiters and they all ask if I've had at least a 100 hour preceptorship in critical care.

livingonadream · Jan 18, 2011

It helps to have your foot in the door of the facility first of all, as a CCT, CNA, whatever.

Be opening to relocation.

Express your desire to learn.

Get critical care areas in clinicals.

b4may14 · Jan 18, 2011

Is a preceptorship like an internship? And to get an internship don't you need to be a pca first for a certain number of hours?

CuriousMe · Jan 18, 2011

Is a preceptorship like an internship? And to get an internship don't you need to be a pca first for a certain number of hours?

Preceptorship is part of our program. For the last two terms, we work one-on-one with an assigned RN for 24 - 30 hours a week. Different programs have different lengths of these programs for their seniors.

In our program, placements are competitive for specialties like critical care, and L&D.

eCCU · Jan 22, 2011

I am in a Level 1 and internships are very competitive. We look for HESI score they say above 900 but we go for 1000 and above. G.P.A >3.0, recommendation letters come in handy from a Nurse from the ICU, make sure he/she is reputable coz we ask around:eek:. Nowadays we are also asking for the transcripts! During the interview basic concepts of team work, infection control and evidence based nursing, professional presentation. Not much to do with clinical knowlegde we understand there is a process to learning. Good luck with the preparation. :yeah:

CuriousMe · Jan 22, 2011

I am in a Level 1 and internships are very competitive. We look for HESI score they say above 900 but we go for 1000 and above. G.P.A >3.0, recommendation letters come in handy from a Nurse from the ICU, make sure he/she is reputable coz we ask around:eek:. Nowadays we are also asking for the transcripts! During the interview basic concepts of team work, infection control and evidence based nursing, professional presentation. Not much to do with clinical knowlegde we understand there is a process to learning. Good luck with the preparation.

Our school doesn't take the HESI, we do take the ATI, do you know if they'd look at that instead?

I'm starting to put my information together to apply to a few critical care residency's.

Blondie24 · Jan 29, 2011

I just graduated and interview yesterday for a position in Critical Care. I was hired for the position today! This particular offered an internship while I was in nursing school, which I participated in. Having your foot in the door and maintaining your contacts is essential! I also did hospital volunteer work, flu clinics, etc.

I maintained a 3.7 GPA throughout nursing and had several instructors write a letter of recommendation. Both of this help, as well. Also, get certified before graduating.....BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, Stroke certification, EKG. Anything that will make you stand out.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Blondie24 · Jan 29, 2011

I just graduated and interview yesterday for a position in Critical Care. I was hired for the position today! This particular offered an internship while I was in nursing school, which I participated in. Having your foot in the door and maintaining your contacts is essential! I also did hospital volunteer work, flu clinics, etc.
I maintained a 3.7 GPA throughout nursing and had several instructors write a letter of recommendation. Both of this help, as well. Also, get certified before graduating.....BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, Stroke certification, EKG. Anything that will make you stand out.
Good luck, hope this helps.

Apparently, I can't type today though. Sorry for the poor grammar and punctuation. I'm tired, LOL

bsnwnab · Aug 25, 2011

What is the difference between internship and externship and how do you get them? Is internship like being hired by a hospital's newgrad program, and externship is like observing while still in school?? when u graduate it becomes internship? And perceptorship is part of an internship/newgrad program? Do you get paid when doing externship or internship?